Coal-picking apparatus.



P. H. EMERY. COAL PIGKING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 7, 1914.

1,119,586, Patented Dec 1,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. H. EMERY.

COAL PIGKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. '1, 1914.

1,1 1 9,586. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gmm/wto c THE NORRIS PETERS co PHOTO LITHOH WASHINGI'ON D C.

P. H. EMBRY.

GOAL PIGKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.7,1914.

1,119,586. Patented De0.1,1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

M 61mm,

THE NORRIS PETERS co, PHOTO-LlTHO-, WASHINGTON. D C.

FREDERICK H. EMERY, OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

GOAL-PICKING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters iiatent. Patented Dec, 1 1914,

Application filed April 7, 1914. Serial No. 830,152.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. EMERY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coal- Picking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in coal picking apparatus, wherein means are provided for separating the coal from slate, bone or other foreign material.

An important object of the invention is to improve the construction of such apparatus in general, with a view of increasing their efficiency in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the coal is subjected to the maximum number of separations, without corresponding increase in the separating parts of the machine.

Further objects and advantages of the in-.

vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the upper half of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a similar view through the lower half of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a chute embodied in the invention. Fig. 5 is a detailed transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 1; F ig. 6 is a side elevation of the means shown in Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a perspective View of a division plate; Fig. 8 is a similar View of a slightly different form of division plate; Fig. 9 is a similar view of a deflector.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention the numerals 1 and 2 designate upper and lower sets of inclined main troughs or chutes, the main troughs or chutes in each set being arranged in stepped relation to discharge material from one to the other, as shown. These sets of main troughs or chutes may be supported in any desired manner.

The upper set of main troughs or chutes includes main troughs or chutes3, 74;, 5 and 6, and the lower set includes main troughs i; ;or chutesj7, 8, 9 and 1Q, which are identical in somerespects. 7 Each main trough or chute comprises, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2 longitudinal sides 11, which are connected by suitable means such as the transverse beam 12 or the like. Each main trough or chute is vertically inclined at a desired angle, with its intake end arranged uppermost,

as shown. Each main trough or chute is provided adjacent its intake end with a rea ceiving-fioor or bottom 13, the same being arranged at slightly different angular positions in the different main troughs or chutes as may, be required in each case. Arranged withineach main trough or casing is a, second floor or bottom 14, vertically inclined,

with respect to the main trough or casing with its intake end arranged uppermost. The floor or bottom 14 is arranged in end to end relation with the floor or bottom 13,

and is spaced therefrom for a substantialcally inclined, (the slab 15 in the main trough or chute 3 being also vertically inclined.) Iprovidemeans for vertically adjusting the lower or swinging end of each of the pivoted separating slabs 15 and to hold the same in adjustment at a desired angular position,'such means preferably comprising a roller or cam 17, rigidly mounted upon a transversely extending rock shaft 18 which is eccentrically connected therewith. As .more clearly shown in Fig. 1, the outer end of each of the rock shafts 18 has a toothed segment 19 rigidly connected therewith, and disposed exteriorly of the main trough or chute. This toothed segment is adapted to be detachably engaged by .a pivoted holding dog 20, and

locked thereby in adjustment at a desired angular position.

Arranged within each I main chute is" a transversely extending rockerfeeder 21, disposed within the opening octoms 13 and,1 1. "Each rocker-feeder is protrough or .1 10 curring between the spaced ffioors or bot-o vided upon its upper side with a pocket or recess 22, adapted when the same is turned in one direction to receive the material from the receiving floor or bottom 18, and when turned in an opposite direction to discharge or deliver the same upon the floor or bottom 14. The function of this rocker-feeder is to provide means for preventing the continuous passage of material from the floor or bottom 13 to the floor or bottom 14, and to feed proper amounts of such material from one to the other at desired intervals.

Means are provided for simultaneously turning all of the rocker-feeders in the two sets of main troughs or chutes, which will now be described.

Connected with the rocker-feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 3, to turn therewith, is an exteriorly arranged bell crank lever 23, having its upper arm pivotally connected with a pitman 24, connected with an eccentric head 25. This eccentric head engages and is moved by an eccentric 26, rigidly mounted upon a drive shaft 27". This drive shaft may be rotated by any suitable means. It is thus seen that the rotation of the drive shaft 27 will impart an oscillatory movement to the feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 3, and the bell crank lever or levers rigidly connected therewith. Pivotally connected with the lower arm of the bell crank lever 23 is a longitudinally extending pitman 28, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with the upper end of a vertically swinging lever 29, which is rigidly connected with the rocker-feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 4. Pivotally connected with the lower end of the vertically swinging lever 29 is a longitudinally extending pitman 30, having its opposite end pivotally connected with the upper end of the vertically swinging lever 31, which is rigidly connected with the rocker-feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 5'. The lower end of the vertical swinging lever 21 is pivotally connected with a longitudinally extending pitman 32, having its opposite end pivotally connected with the upper end of a crank or lever 33, which is rigidly connected with the rockerfeeder 21 in the main trough or chute 6. Rigidly connected with the opposite end of the rocker-feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 3 is a laterally extending crank 34 (see more particularly Fig. 2), having pivotal connection with a depending pitman having its lower end pivotally connected with the upper arm of a bell crank lever 36. This bell crank lever is rigidly connected with one end of the rocker-feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 7 Pivotally connected with the lower arm of the bell crank lever 36 is a longitudinally extend ing pitman 37' having its opposite'endpivotally connected with the upper end of -a vertically swinging lever 38, which is rigidly connected with the rocker feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 8. Pivotally connected with the lower end of the lever 88 is a pitman 39, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with a vertically swinging lever 40. This vertically swinging lever lO is rigidly connected with the rocker feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 9, and has its lower end pivotally connected with a pitman 41. The opposite end of this pitman is pivotally connected with a crank or lever 4:12, which is rigidly connected with the rocker feeder 21 in the main trough or chute 10. The operating means for the rocker-feeders 21 in the set of main troughs or chutes 2 are arranged upon the opposite side of the same with respect to the operating means of the rocker feeders in the other set of main troughs or chutes. From the foregoing description it is obvious that all of the rocker-feeders are simultaneously turned or oscillated.

Arranged within the lower or discharge end of each of the main troughs or chutes is a longitudinally adjustable regulating plate 4:3, (see Figs. 2', 7 and 8) such regulating plates being provided with extensions mounted to reciprocate within longitudinal slots 4%, formed through the sides 11 as shown. Secured to the lower surfaces of each regulating plate are rack bars l5, there being preferably one rack bar adjacent each end of the regulating plate. These rack bars are engaged and moved by pinions 46,

rigidly mounted upon transverse rotatable shafts 47. Each of these transverse rotatable shafts, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6, has its outer end formed polygonal in cross section, to be engaged with and turned by a wrench or the like, not shown. Rigidly mounted upon the outer end of the rotatable shaft 4-7 is a toothed wheel 1-8, detachably engaged by a holding pawl 19. It is thus seen that means are provided to reciprocate or move each regulating plate in either dis rection with respect to its main trough or chute. and to lock the same in adiustment at a desired longitudinal position with relation thereto. Pivotally connected with the upper intake edge of each regulating plate is a. di vision plate 50, as more clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8. As shown in Fig. 8' each division plate 50 may preferably have its intake or discharge edge provided with a pro tecting element or casing 51 which may be formed of hard rubber or other analogous material. The division plate is adapted to be angular-1v adjusted with relation to the regulating plate and for this reason it provided with an upstanding crank rigidly: connected therewith. The upstandand moved by a --longitu'dinally extending lower ends, as shown at 55, and is provided with clamping means 56, whereby the same may be locked in adjustment at a desired angular position. The means to simultaneously swing all of the upstanding cranks 51 inthe' main troughs or chutes of the lower set 2 is identical with the corresponding means hereinbefore described Wherefore it is thought that no further description of the same is necessary. As more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each division plate 50 is spaced a substantial distance from the discharge edge of the separating slab 15, providing an open ing or space 57 therebetween, at which point the separation of the coal, slate, or bone takes place, in a manner to be more fully described.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, adeflector element or receptacle 58 (which is curved in cross section and more clearly shown in Fig. 9) is arranged within or belowthe space or opening 57 between the separating slab 15 and the division plate 50. This deflector element is preferably angularly adjustable, for which reason the ends 59 thereof,'see Fig. 9, are rigidly mounted upon a rock shaft 60 journaled through the longitudinal sides 11. An upstanding crank 61 (see Figs. 9 and 1) is rigidly connected with one end-of the rock shaft 60 and is angularly adjusted by means of a pivoted cam 62'as shown. 'The' material deflected by the deflector element '58 passes from the lower end thereof into a rearwardly extending depending chute 63, discharging onto the intake end of the receiving floor or bottom 13 of the main trough or chute 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Pivotally connected with the discharge or lower end of each of the main troughs or chutes except troughs or chutes 6 and 10,as shown at 64, is a vertically adjustable conducting chute 65, the discharge end of each conducting chute passing into the intake end of each successive conducting chute, as shown. chute 65 is vertically adjustable, or may be swung up and down to increase or decrease the distance between the separating slab 15 I and the same, depending upon the character of coal being treated. The conducting chute 65 has its longitudinal sides provided near.

the pivots 64: with transversely curved slots 66 receiving clamping .bolts 67 (see Fig. 1) whereby the conducting chute may be locked in adjustment at a desired angular position.

Pivotally connected, as shown at 68, with the discharge end of the lowermost conducting chutes 65, is a checking or retarding element 69, having its bottom 70 preferably curved in cross section as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. These retarding or checking ele-- As above stated,'each conducting ments are angularly adjustable and are provided with curved slots 71 to receive a clamping bolt 72 whereby they may be locked at a desired angular position. The function of these'checking elements is to prevent the finallytreated or separated coal from being thrown to great distan'cesfrom the outlet ends of the lowermost conducting chutes 65. 's

The conducting chute 65 in the main trough or chute 9 is slightly altered'in construction, the same being foreshortened and provided at its lower outlet end with spaced discharge chutes 73, there being an upstanding substantially V-shaped deflector 74 arranged Within the chute to cause the coal to pass to the chutes 73. These chutes discharge into the lowermost conducting chute 65 in the lower set 2 of main'troughs or chutes. The function of this construction is to provide a space 75, for the passage of a forwardly extending depending return chute 76, the lower end of which discharges material onto the receiving floor or bottom 13 of the main trough or chute 10, in advance of the rocker feeder 21 thereof," as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. The upper end of the return chute 76 is arranged below and con-" nected with the lower end of the main trough or chute 6, below the discharge end of the separating slab 15 thereof. There is an inclined deflector 77 arranged within the upper end of the return chute 76. v The operation of the-apparatus is as follows :Thecoal with the slate, bone or other foreign material mixed therewith is primarily fed onto the receiving floor or bottom 13 of the main trough or chute 3. This material, upon the turning movement of the rocker-feeder 21 toward the floor base 13 passes into the pocket 22 to fill the same, and when the rocker feeder 21 is rotated in a reverse direction, is discharged upon the floor or bottom 14, The coal and slate mixed. therewith travels downwardly by. gravitation upon theseparating slab 15, and the first separating action occurs at the discharge end of this slab. The heavier particles of slate with some coal mixed therewith drop into the deflector 58 and pass through chutes 63, to be passed through the main troughsor chutes in the lower set 2.

The separating operation within these v free from the slate passes onto the division plate 50- in" the lower 7 end of themain trough or chute3, and subfsequently passes through 1 the conducting chutes to be finally discharged from the outlet end of the lowermost conducting chute 65. The operation is repeated in each successive main trough or chute, the coal free from slate being fed into the conducting chute 65 of each main trough or chute. In the main trough or chute 6 the heavy bone and slate is discharged into the return chute 7 6, and fed thereby onto the receiving floor or bottom 13 in the main trough or chute 10, to be finally subjected to a separation when the same passes the discharge edge of the separating slab 1.5 thereof, the slate passing down as indicated by the arrows, while the coal free from the slate is discharged from the lower edge of the regulating grate 43 thereof, as indicated by the arrows. In the lower set 2 of the main troughs or chutes, a similar separating action takes place in each main trough or chute, the coal free from the slate or the like being successively fed into the conducting chutes 65. The coal and slate finally pass onto the floor or bottom 13 in the main trough or chute 10, and together with the coal and slate fed through the return chute 76, are subjected to the final separating action, as hereinabove explained. Itis thus seen that by the peculiar arrangement and coiiperation of the main troughs or chutes, which are eight in number, I am able to obtain ten separating actions.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as the preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the'scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having described my invention what I claim is 1. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of main inclined chutes arranged .in stepped relation to discharge material from one to the other, separating means arranged within each main chute between the ends thereof, and a conducting chute pivotally connected with the outlet end of the upper main chute, extending longitudinally of and beyond a lower main chute and movable vertically toward and away from the sepa rating means of the lower main chute in accordance with the size of the material being treated.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of inclined main chutes arranged in end to end relation, a pivoted separating plate arranged within each main chute, means to raise and lower the free end of each separating plate, a regulating plate mounted in each ma n chutebelow the sepa-'- V ratlng plate, means to move the regulatingplatetoward and away from theseparating plate, a division plate pivoted to the regulat nuance chutes, separating means disposed in each main chute, conducting chutes arranged above the main chutes in the lower set to receive material from the separating means thereof, one of the conducting chutes being forked at its lower end to provide an opening, and a depending return chute receiving material from the separating means in the lowermost main chute of the upper set and having its lower end passing through said opening to discharge material into the lowermost main chute in the lower set in advance of the feed means therein.

4. In apparatus of the character described,

chutes, separating means arranged in the main chutes, conducting chutes arranged above the main chutes in the lower set to receive material from the separating means thereof, one of said conducting chutes being provided with an opening in its bcttrm, and a return chute receiving material from the separating means in one main chute of the upper set and having its end passing through said opening to discharge material into one main chute in the lower set in advance of the sepa ating means therein.

5. In apparatus of the character described, upper and lower sets of inclined main chutes, the main chutes in each set being arranged in stepped relation, separating means arranged within each main chute; and a set of conducting chutes arranged near each set of main chutes, the conducting chutes in each set being arranged in stepped relation to discharge material from one to the other, receiving material from the outlet ends of the main chutes, and vertically adjustable to be moved toward and away from the separating means in accordance with the size of the material being treated, and depending chutes to feed material from the end main chutes in the upper set to corresponding end main chutes in the lower set, whereby a part of the material passing through certain of the main chutes in the upper and lower sets of inclined main upper set pass through certain of the main means arranged within each main chute; a

set'of conducting chutes arranged near each set of main chutes, the conducting chutes in each set being arranged in stepped relation to discharge material from one to the other, receiving material from the outlet ends of the main chutes, and vertically adjustable to be moved toward and away from the sepaends thereof.

7. In apparatus of the character described,

upper and lower sets of inclined main' chutes, the main chutes in each set being arranged in stepped relation; separating means arranged within each main chute; a set of conducting chutes arranged near each set of main chutes, the conducting chutes in each set being arranged in stepped relation to discharge material from one to the other, receiving material from the outlet ends of .the main chutes, and vertically adj ustable to be moved toward and away from the separating means in accordance with the size of the material being treated; return chutes receiving material from certain of the main chutes in the upper set in proximity to the separating means thereof and discharging the same into certain of the main chutes in the lower set near the intake ends thereof; and a vertically'adjustable deflector arranged in the upper intake end of one of thereturn chutes below and in proximity to the separating means.

In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

Y FREDERICK H. EMERY Witnesses:

THOS. R. HUGHES, WILFRED G. AMMON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

